Dendritic cells in the pathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis and axial spondyloarthritis

The interaction of dendritic cells (DCs) with the human microbiome, with distorted handling of the microbiota or its products via the direct effect of HLA B27, probably represents the initial element in the chain of events leading to the development of clinical axial spondyloarthritis. The mechanism of disease extension onto the skeleton and other tissues involved, such as uvea, may also involve migratory DCs. Finally, the role of DCs in the initiation of the inflammatory tissue response with activation of the IL-17 axis has been demonstrated. Further, some initial data suggests the possible connection of DCs with disease-related new bone formation.